A RETIRED businessman from Earlston is organising an 11-day trip to the secretive communist state of North Korea.

And Tom Burnham is inviting adventurous Borderers to join him and become the first westerners since the nation’s inception in 1948 to make an historic train journey across the country.

“I’m looking for around half a dozen like-minded individuals to visit this culturally and politically fascinating place,” Tom told the Border Telegraph.

The 71-year-old’s positive assessment is based on his first experience of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in October last year.

Tom, a member of the Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership and a former chair of Earlston Community Council, was one of a 14-strong international party who booked their visit through specialist travel agency Korya Tours.

He had hoped to make the seven-day train journey – brokered exclusively by the agency - from the capital Pyongyang in the south west to the large port of Chongjin in the north.

But at that time, the state authorities had proscribed the trip for foreigners.

“A few months earlier, a BBC correspondent was expelled from the country, claiming in his first report that he had been treated uncivilly by a customs officials who had apparently ‘barked’ at him,” explained Tom.

“This was taken as a grave insult as dogs are considered the lowest of the low and the unique train trip, taking in spectacular scenery and incredible architecture, was one of the casualties.

“In the end, we were allowed to travel by coach to places of interest along with our state-employed guides who could all speak impeccable English and who could not have been more courteous.”

Now the train trip has been re-scheduled for September this year and Tom is determined not to miss out this time.

“I have another three folk who want to come, but I really need a party of around 10 to benefit from a discount so I can seal the deal by the end of March.

“It costs around 2,800 Euros all in for 11 days although you have to pay your own way to the Chinese capital of Beijing where Korya Tours, although British owned, are based.

“That includes two nights at each end of the visit at a top hotel in Pyongyang and with less luxurious but quite adequate accommodation along the railway.

“It took me around three weeks, but I had no problem getting the necessary visa.

“I considered myself well-travelled and had worked as a salesman behind the Iron Curtain during the days of the Cold War, but I’d long harboured a desire to visit North Korea, not least because of its portrayal in our media as a forbidden state.

“I was knocked out by some of the buildings, especially in the capital, and the welcoming nature of all the people we met.”

Any reader interested in joining Tom’s party or requiring more information can contact him on 07931 939 260.